“MAKE THE EARTH MOVE”

BY THOMAS BACH

IOC PRESIDENT

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The organisers of the 2015 World Gymnaestrada could not have chosen a better motto.

Today, simply enjoying sport on screens is not enough. We have to get people, and especially young people, moving. We have to spread the practice of sport and make it available to everyone, everywhere without discrimination.

This is a key goal of the Olympic Agenda 2020, and it is also what the International Gymnastics Federation (FIG) has been doing for more than a century, especially through the World Gymnaestrada, its largest sporting event. What better place could the FIG have chosen to hold this 15th edition than Finland a country where sport truly is for all.

For seven days in July 2015, gymnasts of all ages and backgrounds, from all over the world, will be in Helsinki to share their passion and talent, with the simple aim of enjoying taking part. They will have the extraordinary experience of meeting new people while discovering new cultures.

This is the perfect illustration of what sport can give to people beyond physical well-being. Sport of course keeps us fit in body and mind. But sport also unifies and brings us together. It builds and develops understanding between peoples. Sport can be used as a tool for building a better and more peaceful world. This is also the message conveyed by the 15th World Gymnaestrada.

To the organisers, I would like to extend my best wishes for success. And to the 21,000 or more participants, enjoy being part of this unique event and help to “Make the Earth Move”.

 

GYMNASTICS
OPEN TO EVERYONE

BY SAM RAMSAMY

IOC SPORT FOR ALL COMMISSION CHAIR

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Encouraging and promoting sport and physical activity worldwide, inspiring individuals by providing better access to sport and educating them about the values, or putting Olympism into action 365 days a year. These recommendations are at the heart of Olympic Agenda 2020, unanimously adopted by the International Olympic Committee in December 2014. They also support the fundamental concept that serves as the foundation for the Sport for All movement: the practice of sport is a human right that should be available to everyone, everywhere, without discrimination.

It is then a pleasure to learn that nearly 21,000 gymnasts from over 50 countries across five continents will be in Helsinki, Finland, from 12 to 18 July to take part in the 15th World Gymnaestrada. To have so many athletes participating in this event is a testament to the immense work and dedication that has gone into the organisation of the World Gymnaestrada since its inception in 1953. It is also an indicator of the popularity of gymnastics.

Open to absolutely everyone, with no qualifications or technical manuals required to enjoy this festival, the World Gymnaestrada truly embodies the philosophy of the Sport for All movement. I would like then to thank the International Gymnastics Federation (FIG) for sharing our philosophy and helping get as many people as possible jumping, cartwheeling, somersaulting or simply moving.

Wishing you all the best for this 15th World Gymnaestrada!

WORLD GYMNAESTRADA
IS MORE THAN GYMNASTICS FOR ALL!

BY ANNE MARTIKAINEN

PRESIDENT OF THE FINNISH GYMNASTICS FEDERATION

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The World Gymnaestrada 2015 Helsinki will be the best festival of the summer of 2015! It will be a perfect mixture of festival, friendship and joy. Seven days full of gymnasts’ passion and talent, good spirit and unity. The 15th World Gymnaestrada will round up the Gymnastics World in Helsinki in July!

Helsinki, together with the whole metropolitan area, is ready to welcome the international gymnastics family as our guests. The Finnish Ministry of Education and Culture, Cities of Helsinki, Vantaa and Espoo, the Finnish Gymnastics Federation and the Local Organising Committee have worked closely with each other to make this event come to life for you. This top team is also living its own dream of organising a worldwide Gymnastics for All event with enthusiasm and excitement.

The Finnish summer is at its best in July. Warm days and a sun that doesn’t really set will provide unforgettable experiences to all of the participants of the 15th World Gymnaestrada.

Tervetuloa Helsinkiin! - Welcome to Helsinki and come Make the Earth Move with us!

A TRUE GYMNASTICS
FOR ALL EVENT!

BY MARGARET SIKKENS AHLQUIST

FIG GYMNASTICS FOR ALL COMMITTEE PRESIDENT

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

It’s that time to meet again, and we’re off to the beautiful city of Helsinki, the capital of Finland. For five years the Local Organising Committee, with its partners, has been planning and preparing to meet more than 20,000 gymnasts from all over the world.

The performance venues, the stands for the audience, the catering, transportation system, school accommodations, and a lot more will be ready to meet us on July 12, 2015.

The gymnasts will also be ready. They have prepared for four years, since 2011 when they waved goodbye to Lausanne, saying, “See you in 2015 in Helsinki”! There will also be new federations and gymnasts participating, and they will be able to experience the ‘World Gymnaestrada atmosphere’, which everyone talks about before, during and after the event. The fun, the friendship, the smiles: it’s a wonderful feeling doing gymnastics together.

Participants from all corners of the world will fill the streets of Helsinki with tracksuits and flags in all different colours. They will really 'Make the Earth Move'!

Welcome!